when the Choc Nut and Christmas islander blogs within the breeze of the Gulf

I think this camel stuffed toy is absolutely unique. Not your typical bear around the corner. I took photos before sending this to a blogger pal as a housewarming/birthday present, together with another UAE memorabilia.

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Note: Below post was Isla de Nebz’s entry to the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA). Since the time I read it (in July of last year), I had no doubt that it will be the best entry and that his blog will be declared the best. We may not have the same situation as Filipinos working outside the Philippines, but I should say that his entry had spoken a lot for people like (and unlike) us. I thank him for allowing me to repost this.

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Where my OFW dollars go?
by Isla de Nebz

My OFW dollars go straight to the bank located in my hometown.

Most of it gets withdrawn by my family for their daily and emergency needs. Some dollars left in my account are used by the bank for investments: either as loans to Filipinos who want to acquire a house or to purchase a car or for putting up a small business.

Amy has two sons in grade school. My nieces go to that same school where Amy’s sons go.

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• Watched Sherlock Homes. Brilliant actors, must-see film. I am looking forward to seeing the sequel.
• I found myself wanting to join the children’s mass again. So I did. I became a little emotional when the children sung Shine Jesus Shine. I felt like transported to World Youth Day in 1995. It is a wonder how one song can affect you so much, that would make you think of places, people you met/have been with (I wonder where they are now. And do they think of me, too? Hahaha!), relive selected memories and experiences, etc. in a time warped phase. And that does not happen everyday.
• Spent another day in Ikea to complete my dining table paraphernalia. I did not think it would be that difficult to match all those plates, table runner, etc. with a black and white motiff. It looks like a fusion of Japanese-Chinese-Korean setting.
• Bought a painting (with a woman meditating on it) from Bayti (Arabic term for house). This now regales my living room. I still need to frame a couple of self-taken photos. They did not make it on time for the housewarming.
• Yes, I moved in to a bigger flat because I got bigger. Hahaha. I mean, I moved to a nicer place. The past weeks were very exhausting. But finally, almost everything is at the proper corners already.
• Yesterday, the housewarming was a success. My guests left with a happy heart and tummy (buttered crabs, my infamous lumpiang shanghai, menudo, etc.) Thanks for coming friends. And for the gifts.
• Only yesterday I got the several mails sent to me last month, including the greeting cards sent by blogger pals (you know who you are). Incidentally, I have changed my address. Much thanks!

I initially wanted to write about my new year’s resolution as a year ender post. But I soon realized that it is among my traditions not to do one or a real list. What I only keep in mind as another year starts are two things: to improve or learn from my mistakes and be happier. Sounds simple eh? Being happier would entail being nice, frugal, etc. You see I won’t be happier if I’m feeling and doing nasty stuff, I won’t be happier if I’m spending beyond my means, and the rest follows.

Reading a few random entries that I blogged about in 2009 gave me mixed emotions. I was grinning as it became more obvious that I wrote much about traveling and… eating! Haha. While my blog, of course, is not a diary, it’s definitely becoming one of the easier references of what I’ve been doing. While not losing too much anonymity, it also helps that some people away from me, wherever they are, (and you all know who you are) found another means to keep in touch. At first, it was a little strange (and scary, LOL) when some members of the family and friends would know what I’ve been up to and what I intend to do (the general stuff) without me disclosing to them. It’s the least of my concern, anyway, how they found out about this blog. Heehee. I realized though that I have an added reason to continue blogging. Yes, to keep in touch with them, including my blogger pals. Seriously, at times I get consumed by this sort of community. In 2008, I had a few minutes meet up with one blogger. I’m imagining how it feels to meet more in the future – maybe it would be like meeting an old friend that you’ve not seen for years.

I also appreciate the respect we give each other as online pals considering the differences in level of anonymity. While I evolved from being fully to partially anonymous as a blogger, here’s a bonus: you can ask me anything in this page. I will try to respond to each question which is answerable. I suggest that you create an account so that you’re going to be notified of the responses and that I’d be able to ask you, too.

2009 has been very kind and wonderful to me and I thank all of you for being part of it. I wish everyone a happier and more blessed new year!

There is a little mole on my left foot. The elders have a couple of interpretations about it, that I would be traveling from one place to another and that I would be a missionary in my own special way. I never realized both much until they happened phase by phase. Especially in one of my previous jobs that I was required to travel a lot within the Philippines. I became a regular at the airports and that gave me a healthy Mabuhay Miles balance. Lol. It was a very good opportunity to see how beautiful our country is from North to the South.

I think when one becomes a traveler in a real sense, he or she would always look forward for more. If the opportunity is there, one shall not miss it. As Saint Augustine puts it, “the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Looking back, I would say that it’s not the international trips that made a significant mark on me, but the places I visited in the Philippines. When I would visit a different emirate and/or state, the culture, people and other things about it that are new to me definitely wow me. But at the end of the road, I would always be reminded how more beautiful the different regions in my own land are . Aside from Laguna that I love to bits because there is where my roots are, my favorite destinations are Bacolod, Bicol and Davao. During my previous travels, these three give me the feeling that I am always going there as if it’s the first time. The food and people never fail to amaze me. You never run out of new things to do and to surprise you.

As for future travels, I dream a lot. I already booked two international trips for next year, but let’s not name them for now. You will feel though, that our dream destinations change from time to time. As Lao Tzu said, a good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. My current state is wandering about revisiting Baguio (and to drop by to Sagada), traveling to Egypt (the pyramids are making special appearances in my dreams several times) and Alaska (I’m so curious to experience life there and it’s strengthen by the movie, The Proposal).

One of the nicest things about traveling is that you always learn from it, getting lost, discovering and re-learning, and a lot more. Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the most quiet chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.

What about you? What are your realizations about traveling?

This is my entry to KG’s giveaway. Hop on to her blog to learn more and meet fellow travelers.